Chris Ketter (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make a comment with respect to answers given to questions by senators Wong and Collins. I commence my contribution by making the observation that there is a very dark shadow hanging over the integrity of the Turnbull government. We know that there was an opportunity for the government, for the Prime Minister, to answer some of the questions which need to be answered in relation to the behaviour of Mr Brough and his own admissions on prime time television, but unfortunately the questions remain unanswered. It is the responsibility of the opposition to continue to seek the answers. The Australian people need to be confident that the Turnbull government is, in fact, addressing the issues that it needs to address.

Senator Collins identified that it was Mr Brough's own words last year in the 60 Minutes program which have electrified the debate. Senator Collins has already drawn attention to this. When asked on 60 Minutes if he has asked Mr Ashby to produce copies of Mr Slipper's diary for him, the now Special Minister of State admitted, 'Yes, I did.' That is quite a significant statement by a person who is now the Special Minister of State.

We need to understand that Mr Brough is not only a minister of the Commonwealth; he is also a Special Minister of State, and being a Special Minister of State entails being responsible for a whole range of matters to do with integrity of government, including the Australian Electoral Commission and the entitlement system for members of the parliament. This is a responsibility which requires him to exercise the highest standards of judgement and integrity. When a person presents themselves and in their own words identifies the fact that they have prima facie committed an act which may well be contrary to the law—and that is a matter that needs to be determined—when a person makes an admission like that, and the person holds that particular position of Special Minister of State, I think it is incumbent on the opposition to ask questions about this and to seek the appropriate assurances and answers.

In the other place the Prime Minister was given an opportunity to be more fulsome in his explanation. In terms of identifying the decision-making processes behind, for example, the elevation of Mr Brough to the position of Special Minister of State—we know that Mr Brough was a supporter of Mr Turnbull in the change of prime ministership—the question remains hanging in the air as to whether or not Mr Brough was elevated into the position because of the fact that he has been of some political assistance to the Prime Minister. What decision-making processes were brought to bear by the Prime Minister in elevating Mr Brough? Surely Mr Turnbull was aware of what had been said on the 60 minutes program last year. He would have been aware of what transpired in relation to the events concerning Mr Slipper. These are matters which are on the public record.

In answer to Senator Collins's question, Senator Brandis gave the indication that the fact that a search warrant has been issued in respect of Mr Brough, and that police have visited Mr Brough's home, is something which should just be brushed off, not worthy of much comment. 'Nothing to see here. Let's move along.' But we do know that search warrants are not issued lightly, and there must be some reasonable grounds before these things are exercised, so there are questions to be answered— (Time expired)